Petrol dealers to go on 'indefinite strike' on Saturday after talks with govt fail

According to The Express Tribune, the Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association said talks with the government had collapsed, meaning petrol pumps will shut nationwide from August 15 with no set end date. Chairman Malik Khuda Baksh said officials refused to change the daily system used to adjust fuel prices.

The government did, however, agree to consider lifting dealer margins by Rs1.34, though that depends on federal cabinet clearance. Dealers then left for Karachi and called an emergency executive committee meeting, citing the petroleum minister's conduct. The association added that members still plan to strike from Saturday morning.

Separately, the All Pakistan Goods Transport Alliance said its nationwide strike, now in its sixth day, will continue until demands are met and a formal notification is issued, after negotiations with federal and Sindh authorities collapsed. Its president, Malik Shahzad Awan, urged transporters to stay peaceful and avoid blocking roads.